News from the Office of the Behavioral Health Medical Director

North Texas State Hospital Named Winner of the 2011 David Pharis Award for Excellence in Hospital Quality Improvement

DSHS and the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians presented the award to North Texas State Hospital for their Recovery Model of Care Program. The program was recognized for making significant contributions to the safety and quality of inpatient care and outcomes. Peggy Perry, Director of the State Hospital Section at DSHS commended the program for applying “…the concepts of consumer choice and a recovery orientation to treatment in ways to create success and add value to the person’s experience in the Maximum Security Program at North Texas State Hospital." Learn more in the November 28, 2011 issue of the Behavioral Health News BRIEF »

Burke Center Honored

The American Psychiatric Association has honored the Burke Center's Mental Health Emergency Center, Lufkin, Texas, by awarding the Gold Achievement Award in the category of community-based programs for its innovative approach in bringing comprehensive psychiatric emergency services to rural communities in 12 counties of East Texas. The program assists adults in crisis, either those brought to Burke Center under an emergency mental health warrant or persons who voluntarily walk in and request assistance.

Burke Center MHEC applies standards of care developed in 2005 by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Crisis Redesign. A summary of the program can be found at: Psychiatry Online.